Peroxynitrite in Sarcoidosis: Relation to Mycobacterium Stationary Phase.

There is evidence that the same mycobacterial heat shock proteins (Mtb-HSPs), especially HSP16, the main marker of mycobacteria dormant stage, occur in sarcoid tissues and in circulated immune complexes and prompt the immune responses against the different genetic background, leading to the development of acute sarcoidosis (SA)/Löfgren syndrome, chronic SA, latent tuberculosis (TB), or active TB. In SA there is increased monocytes phagocytic activity, decreased clearance of antigens/immune complexes by monocytes, which are resistant to apoptosis, and decreased serum microbicidal/degradable nitrate/nitrite (NOx) concentration. Reduction in NOx may result from the reaction of NOx with superoxide with subsequent production of peroxynitrite (ONOO-). In this study, therefore, we evaluated NOx and ONOO- levels in supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultures treated with Mtb-HSPs from 20 SA patients, 19 TB patients, and 21 healthy volunteers using Griess and rhodamine fluorescence methods. We found significantly greater NOx and ONOO- concentrations with/without Mtb-HSPs stimulation in SA and TB patients than in controls. However, there were significantly lower NOx and higher ONOO- levels after Mtb-HSPs induction in SA than TB patients. In summary, in contrast to active TB, increased ONOO- concentration may explain the low level of NOx with induction of M. tuberculosis genetic dormancy program via higher Mtb-HSP16 expression in SA.

Diagnosis of the Encephalitozoon cuniculi infections in pet rabbits with neurological symptoms.

The purpose of the study was the in vivo diagnosing of E. cuniculi invasions in pet rabbits with neurological symptoms using the Real-Time PCR, and determination of the rate of invasion, in this group of animals. The study involved 103 pet rabbits with neurological symptoms. Parasitic invasions were diagnosed using Real-Time PCR. The DNA of the parasites for molecular tests was isolated from the urine of the diseased animals. Out of the 103 tested DNA samples, the presence of the E. cuniculi genetic material was detected in 27 samples (26.21%). The melting temperature (Tm) of all products was 77.5 degrees C. The presence of parasitic DNA in the urine of 26.21% of examined animals indicates that E. cuniculi infections occur widely in pet rabbits in Poland and are a significant cause of neurological disorders in those animals.

Efficacy and safety of a new surgical method to treat malignant glaucoma in pseudophakia.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of a relatively new surgical method in pseudophakic malignant glaucoma patients. METHODS: This study is a retrospective, non-comparative, interventional case series. Ten eyes of nine pseudophakic malignant glaucoma patients with mean age of 63.3 years were analysed. All 10 eyes underwent a novel surgical technique, an anterior chamber capsulo-hyaloidectomy and anterior vitrectomy through the peripheral iridectomy. Main outcome measures were: reformation of the anterior chamber, intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications. RESULTS: All 10 eyes with pseudophakic malignant glaucoma were treated successfully by using a new surgical technique. All cases had a relief of aqueous misdirection with anterior chamber deepening during and after the surgery and post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) normalization. No relapses have been observed so far. There were no complications during surgery and in the post-operative period. CONCLUSION: The presented surgical technique seems to be safe and effective in all cases of malignant glaucoma in pseudophakia.

PECAM-1, a key player in neuroinflammation.

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31) is a 130-kDa protein, which plays a significant role in the adhesion cascade. It is therefore involved in leucocyte endothelium interaction and in leucocyte transendothelial migration during inflammation. As neuroinflammation and subsequent blood brain barrier disruption are integral processes in many neurological disorders, PECAM-1 and its soluble form (sPECAM-1) have been investigated in a number of conditions, rising hopes as a potential marker of disease activity, a possible target in treatment and a prognostic factor. It has been shown that serum and CSF levels of PECAM-1 and sPECAM-1 are increased in patients in active stages of multiple sclerosis. Similarly, they rise in individuals after ischaemic stroke. PECAM-1 has also been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of Abeta-related cerebral vascular disorders, such as Alzheimer disease. It participates in the pathomechanism of paraneoplastic neurological disorders and in neuroinflammation in NeuroAIDS. A number of experiments on animal models were carried out in order to investigate PECAM-1 role in the above-mentioned conditions and more, including brain trauma and nerve root injury. In this review most recent investigations on PECAM-1 biology and its role in neuroinflammation have been described and discussed from a multidisciplinary point of view.

[Central pontine myelinolysis in an eighteen year old woman]. / Mielinoliza centralna mostu i jader podstawy mózgu u osiemnastoletniej kobiety.

Central pontine myelinolysis is sporadically diagnosed disease. The disease has fulminant course and fatal prognosis. Myelinolysis is known for 40 years, but its cause remain still unclear and therapy is not established. A case of 18 year old woman hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Disease Medical Academy of Bialystoku is an example of such a difficulties.

[Iatrogenic streptococcal sepsis-- a case report]. / Jatrogenna posocznica paciorkowcowa--opis przypadku.

A case study of iatrogenic streptococcal sepsis is presented. That was caused by the stomatological device left in a dental alveolus at time of dental treatment and prosthetic restoration. Systemic inflammatory response because of dentigenous spread endangered the patients life.

[Clinical picture of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection]. / Obraz kliniczny zachorowan wywolanych przez Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

In humans Mycoplasma pneumoniae is mostly responsible for severe diseases of respiratory system, but it can also cause symptoms from other organs. Two cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are described in this paper. Additionally the differences between clinical courses and diagnostic difficulties were also discussed.

[Practical use of anti-HB immunoglobulins]. / Praktyczne zastosowanie immunoglobuliny anty HBs.

Viral hepatitis B remains a significant problem among iatrogenic infections. The development of transplantology met a barrier in the form of active hepatitis B. Wide but still inadequate prophylaxis against viral hepatitis B and the necessity of protection of patients after organ transplantation against secondary HBV infection require establishing indications for specific, passive immunotherapy.

Plasmapheresis in the treatment of tropical malaria.

A case of tropical malaria imported from Kenya was described. Plasmodium falciparum (an etiological agent of this disease) is often drug resistant, therefore pharmacological treatment of the patients was supplemented with plasmapheresis. Full recovery has been achieved. It is suggested that plasmapheresis may be recommended for a complex therapy of severe forms of tropical malaria.

Enzyme immunoassay in the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis.

Comparison of serological EIA tests available in Poland, used in diagnostics of Lyme borreliosis: VIDAS Lyme Screen II (LYT II)-bioMérieux (France), Lyme Borreliosis-Dako (Denmark), Borrelia Recombinant-Biomedica (Austria) was carried out in sera of 112 persons: 39 inhabitants of Bialowieza area-Lyme borreliosis endemic region, 43 persons with Lyme borreliosis (first of all erythema migrans and neuroborreliosis), 27 healthy persons (control group), 3 persons with serologically confirmed rheumatoid arthritis. Compatibility of results in all tests was 73%, and it was the highest in control group (78%) and in neuroborreliosis patients (76%). Sensitivity of all tests was similar and varied from 77% (Dako) up to 81% (Biomedica). The highest specificity (93%), positive (94%) and negative (74%) predictive values demonstrated bioMérieux test. The lowest error of method for positive results showed bioMérieux (2,48%) and Dako-IgG (2,94%), whereas for negative Biomedica-IgG (0). There were no positive (false) results in sera of patients with rheumatoid factor dependent on cross reaction.

Seasonal prevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in Bialowieza inhabitants.

The aim of the study was evaluation of seasonal variability in presence of specific antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in Bialowieza area, as an endemic region of Lyme borreliosis. Specific IgM and IgG antibodies against 41-kDa antigen of Borrelia burgdorferi B31 strain were investigated with an enzyme immunoassay in sera of 300 Bialowieza inhabitants between September 1993 and May 1994. The highest prevalence of IgM antibodies was observed in September 1993 (43.4%), with decrease during winter and spring (down to 15.7% in April) and accompanying the highest prevalence of IgG antibodies (17.7% in April 1994). Quantitative determination of antibodies level expressed as corrected optical density revealed similar tendency. From 33 persons, that revealed IgM antibodies in September 1993, 26 (79%) had no IgM or IgG antibodies. Specific IgG antibodies found in 7 persons in September, were still present in 4.

The effects of piridinol carbamate on hypercholesteremia and aortal damage produced by 5 days' application of Altman's diet to the rat.

The Altman's diet applied for 5 days in rats produces hypercholesteremia and aortal degeneration with breaks of continuity of elastic fibres and deposition of calcium salts. Piridinol carbamate depresses the serum cholesterol level and given in a dose 3 mg/kg prevents the damage of elastic fibres.